Comic-Con 2012 Adaptations Panels – Full Schedule July 14th

The San Diego Comic-Con has posted the schedule for Saturday, July 14. You can view the full schedule of panels featuring material that is regarding adaptations or in someway related to past, present, and upcoming adaptions below:

SATURDAY, JULY 14

10:00-11:00 After Earth:

Enter the world of After Earth with an in-depth panel that gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the universe of the upcoming film and comic book. With the film now in post-production and set to hit theaters next June, screenwriter Gary Whitta (Book of Eli) and director of photography Peter Suschitzky (The Empire Strikes Back) will discuss the making of the film. They will be joined by comic book artist Beni Lobel (Spanish horror comic anthology Cthulu; G.I. Joe comic books; Torchwood: Web of Lies motion comic), and writers Robert Greenberger (Iron Man, Batman, and Hellboy novels) and Michael Friedman (Star Trek and X-Men novels) — the creators of the comic book After Earth: Innocence, which will introduce Kitai and Cypher Raige (played by Jaden and Will Smith in the After Earth film). Also joining the panel is Eisner Award winner Peter David (Star Trek novels and comic books; The Incredible Hulk), who is writing the After Earth prequel novel and also created the After Earth bible with Greenberger and Friedman.

In After Earth, one thousand years after cataclysmic events forced humanity’s escape from Earth, Nova Prime has become mankind’s new home. Legendary General Cypher Raige (played by Will Smith) returns from an extended tour of duty to his estranged family, ready to be a father to his 13-year-old son, Kitai (played by Jaden Smith). When an asteroid storm damages Cypher and Kitai’s craft, they crash-land on a now unfamiliar and dangerous Earth. As his father lies dying in the cockpit, Kitai must trek across the hostile terrain to recover their rescue beacon. His whole life, Kitai has wanted nothing more than to be a soldier like his father. Today, he gets his chance.
Room 6A

10:00-11:00 Planet of the Apes in Comics: Past, Present, and Future:

Planet of the Apes has come back to comics in a big way thanks to BOOM! Studios! Tom Mason (former editor of Malibu’s Planet of the Apes) and current Planet of the Apes editor Dafna Pleban talk with writers Daryl Gregory, Gabriel Hardman, and Corinna Bechko about their critically acclaimed series. Learn what’s next for Planet of the Apes, as well as secrets behind the past of this comic franchise. Room 9

10:00-11:00 Film and TV Production Designers of the Art Directors Guild:

In collaboration with a highly skilled art department, the production designer lays out the design plan that will guide a small army of illustrators, set designers, decorators, carpenters, sculptors, painters, and artisans of every sort in creating small worlds to warm the heart and entire civilizations to fire the imagination. Designers include Suzuki Ingerslev (True Blood), Bill Creber (original Planet of the Apes), Rick Heinrichs (Dark Shadows), Thomas Walsh (Vampires), Dominic Watkins (Snow White and the Huntsman), and moderator John Muto (Terminator 2:3D). Room 25ABC

10:30-11:30 Marvel Television Presents:

Marvel’s head of TV, Jeph Loeb, brings the scoop on season 2 of the hit animated series Ultimate Spider-Man, along with a never-before-seen episode…and a glimpse of the other heroes joining Marvel Universe on Disney XD! Plus, get the update on other hot Marvel Animation Studios projects, including Marvel Knights Animation, Marvel anime-and more surprises from Marvel Television. Room 6BCF

10:30-11:30 Creating Animated TV Series:

What does it take to create an animated series? Do you have to be a writer? An artist or animator? Both? Neither? What do you need to have to pitch an idea, and what are the studios and networks looking for? Members of the Writers Guild of America’s Animation Writers Caucus who have created and developed series, along with network/studio executives who buy them, talk about pitching and answer your questions. Featuring panelists Alan Burnett (The Batman, Green Lantern: First Flight), David Corbett (executive director, North America, RGH Entertainment), Henry Gilroy (Clone Wars, GI Joe: Renegades), Craig Miller (Pocket Dragon Adventures, Beast Wars), Andrew Robinson (Kaijudo: Rise Of The Duel Masters, Young Justice), and others. Room 8

11:00-12:00 Funky Winkerbean’s 40th Anniversary:

Comic-Con special guest Tom Batiuk takes you on a humorous and an informative journey through the Funkyverse as he delves into the origin and history of his syndicated comic strip Funky Winkerbean. Joining him is Alex Sinclair, colorist on DC Comics-The New 52’s Justice League, Green Lantern, Earth 2, and Before Watchmen: Comedian and the talented guy who was the primary colorist on Batiuk’s Pulitzer-nominated book Lisa’s Story. Join Tom and Alex for 40 years of Funky. Room 4

11:00-12:00 Archie Comics: The Hottest Publisher in Comics:

The era of Archie continues! After another year of dominating the headlines with groundbreaking storylines, innovative storytelling, and the best comics on the market, the Archie gang converges on San Diego to reveal what’s next! The panel includes Archie Comics co-CEO Jon Goldwater, co-CEO Nancy Silberkleit, president Mike Pellerito, editor-in-chief Victor Gorelick, cartoonist Dan Parent (Kevin Keller), writer Michael Uslan (Life With Archie), iVerse Media CEO Michael Murphey, MoonScoop Entertainment’s Mike Young, producers Don Murphy and Susan Montford (Real Steel), writer Alex Segura (Archie Meets KISS), writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark), and a handful of major, newsworthy surprises! Want to learn everything that’s in store for America’s favorite redheaded teen and all his friends? This is the place to be! Panel attendees will get a copy of the latest issue of the hit Life With Archie series! Room 9

11:00-11:45 Once Upon a Time:

Magic is coming! Moderator William Keck (TV Guide Magazine senior editor and columnist) takes you to Storybrooke, where a curse placed on its fairytale inhabitants by the Evil Queen has been broken and reality and myth have merged. It’s a place where magic is about to be introduced, but with it comes its own set of consequences. Co-creators and executive producers Edward Kitsis (Lost, Tron: Legacy) and Adam Horowitz (Lost, Tron: Legacy), along with Ginnifer Goodwin (Big Love), Jennifer Morrison (House), Lana Parrilla (24), Josh Dallas (Thor), Emilie de Ravin (Lost), and Meghan Ory (Vampire High) engage in a Q&A about their hit TV series. Ballroom 20

11:00-12:00 comiXology Open Discussion: Everything Digital:

With over 75 million comics and graphic novels downloaded since its debut, comiXology has revolutionized how people read and buy comic books. Recently hailed by the New York Times as the iTunes of comics, here is your opportunity to discover what is next! Join comiXology cofounders David Steinberger and John D. Roberts for an open discussion on…everything digital. All topics are game! Room 23ABC

11:15-12:30 DC Comics-All Access: OGNs:

It’s been a big year for DC Comics’ award-winning, original graphic novels, and it’s only going to get bigger! Get unfiltered access to behind the scenes of your favorite and most talked about original graphic novels Publisher! Joining the all access party will be some of the industry’s top talents, including Anthony Bourdain (Get Jiro!), Shane Davis (Superman: Earth One), Langdon Foss (Get Jiro!), Geoff Johns (Batman: Earth One), and J. Michael Straczynski (Superman: Earth One), so don’t miss out! Room 6DE

11:30-12:30 Save the Date: Your New Favorite Film:

This may be the first comic book film that isn’t based on an actual comic book; instead, Save the Date uses the style and sensibility of indie comics by renowned graphic novelist Jeffrey Brown as a jumping off point to tell a contemporary story of the trials, pain, and happiness of modern love. Explore the challenges and advantages of working in film versus comics with cartoonist/screenplay co-writer Jeffrey Brown (Clumsy, Darth Vader and Son), director Michael Mohan (One Too Many Mornings), and producers Jordan Horowitz (The Kids Are All Right) and Michael Roiff (Waitress), and discover how the cast has been influenced and inspired by comics and geek culture, with Lizzy Caplan (Party Down), Alison Brie (Community, Mad Men), Martin Starr (Freaks & Geeks, Party Down), Geoffrey Arend (500 Days of Summer), and Mark Webber (Scott Pilgrim). Join them for a lively session moderated by Noel Murray (The A.V. Club). Room 5AB

12:00-1:00 Spotlight on Klaus Janson:

Penciler, inker, and writer — and Comic-Con special guest — Klaus Janson (Daredevil, Dark Knight Returns, The Avengers) makes a rare convention appearance to discuss past, present, and future projects. Join Klaus and his friends Bill Sienkiewicz (Elektra: Assassin, Stray Toasters) and David Mack (Daredevil, Kabuki) as they offer a preview of their upcoming maxi-series Daredevil: The End of Days. Room 9

12:00-1:00 CBLDF Master Session: Charlie Adlard:

With his work on The Walking Dead, Charlie Adlard has proved to be a master of abstract anatomy, suspenseful storytelling, and the imaginative depiction of a familiar but terrifying world. Get a glimpse of his approach to creating the definitive zombie narrative of the 21st century at this CBLDF Master Session. The pieces created will be auctioned off at CBLDF’s Art Auction tonight. Room 11AB

12:00-1:00 The Naked Truth About Tarzan and Jane: The First 100 Years of Spectacular Tarzan Imagery, and One of Literature’s Best-Loved Couples as They Enter Their Second Century:

Bestselling novelist Robin Maxwell (Jane: The Woman Who Loved Tarzan) and author Scott Tracy Griffin (Tarzan: The Centennial Celebration) gather with illustrator Joe Jusko (The Art of Joe Jusko) to discuss these iconic literary characters. Join them for a presentation and Q&A session hosted by Jim Sullos, president of Edgar Rice Burroughs, Incorporated, the official licensing entity for Tarzan and John Carter of Mars. Room 25ABC

12:00-1:00 Comics Arts Conference Session #10: Focus on Steve Englehart:

Steve Englehart (CAC and Comic-Con Special Guest) has been the lead writer for both Marvel and DC on several occasions and a founding father of Malibu’s Ultraverse. His redefinition of Batman and the Joker as mature adults influenced how the characters were depicted in both comics and film for the last three decades. Travis Langley (Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight) moderates a discussion of Englehart’s stellar career writing the adventures of Captain America, Silver Surfer, Doctor Strange, Coyote, Night Man, the Justice League, and dozens of other characters. Room 26AB

12:00-1:00 Nerdist Channel:

Chris Hardwick (the host of BBC America’s The Nerdist and AMC’s Talking Dead) and some very-relevant-to-your-interests talent from the Nerdist Channel on YouTube will engage in lively conversation about the current channel lineup and upcoming shows and specials, and also reveal some exclusive footage and surprise announcements about the future of Nerdist Industries. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

12:45-1:45 DC Comics: Before Watchmen:

It’s not the end of the world. It’s the beginning! You don’t want to miss this panel about the most talked about comic book series of 2012! DC Entertainment co-publisher Dan DiDio, VP/art direction and design Mark Chiarello, senior editor Will Dennis, and creators Amanda Conner (Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre), Darwyn Cooke (Before Watchmen: Minute Men), Adam Hughes (Before Watchmen: Dr Manhattan), J. Michael Straczynski (Before Watchmen: Nite Owl), Len Wein (Before Watchmen: Ozymandias, Curse of the Crimson Corsair), and others talk about this game-changing event! Hurm! Room 6DE

1:30-2:30 Minimates Turn 10: Small Toys, Big Plans:

Some of the team behind the popular Minimates line are here to unveil new products and answer your questions about the 2-inch, fully articulated mini-figures. From Marvel Comics to Battle Beasts to The Walking Dead, Diamond Select Toys director Chuck Terceira, Art Asylum founder Digger Mesch, and marketing supervisor Zach Oat will share insider info about all their upcoming lines, as well as submit to a Q&A session and debut the next stop-motion animated Pirate Raiders episode. Plus, there’ll be a Minimates prize drawing at the end of the panel. Room 8

1:45-2:45 Marvel Video Games:

Learn all about Gazillion’s Marvel Heroes MMO, Ubisoft’s Avengers: Battle for Earth and more future Marvel games-including an announcement from Activision and High Moon Studios that is sure to be a hit! Q&A will follow. Room 6A

2:00-3:00 Spotlight on Gary Gianni:

Comic-Con special guest Gary Gianni discusses his work illustrating one of Ray Bradbury’s last published books, painting the Game of Thrones 2014 calendar, and the future of illustrated storytelling in the digital realm. Room 4

2:00-3:00 Will Eisner and the Graphic Novel:

Moderator Paul Levitz (writer, 75 Years of DC Comics, Legion of Super-Heroes, former Eisner publisher), Klaus Janson (artist/inker, Daredevil, The Dark Knight Return, comics educator, SVA), Denis Kitchen (artist, author, publisher; Eisner’s agent and longtime friend), Charles Kochman (editorial director, Abrams ComicArts), and Diana Schutz (comics educator; executive editor, Dark Horse Comics; Eisner’s editor) explore the pivotal role Will Eisner’s evangelism of the comics artform plays in the evolution of the American graphic novel, followed by a short Q&A period. Room 23ABC

2:30-5:00 Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures Preview Their Upcoming Lineups:

Warner Bros. Pictures: Man Of Steel

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey-From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Jackson returns to Middle-earth in an adventure that begins 60 years before the events depicted in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. The first of two films adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien’s enduringly popular masterpiece, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey follows titular Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), who-along with the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and a band of 13 Dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage)-is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. The film’s ensemble cast includes Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lily, and Andy Serkis as Gollum.
Hall H

2:45-3:45 Marvel: Avengers vs. X-Men:

The battle between the Avengers and the X-Men rages on in this cosmos-shattering event! All your favorite superheroes enter-and only one team will emerge victorious. You’ve got questions, and these people have the answers! Editor-in-chief Axel Alonso, chief creative officer Joe Quesada, X-Men editor Nick Lowe, SVP of creator and content development C.B. Cebulski, and others are on hand to lay out what’s going on with the epic battle surrounding the X-Men’s Phoenix Five and the Avengers. Room 6BCF

4:30-5:15 True Blood Panel and Q&A session:

Mixing romance, suspense, mystery, and humor, the Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated True Blood kicked off its 12-episode fifth season June 10 on HBO. The series follows the exploits of waitress and part-faerie Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), who can hear people’s thoughts; vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer); and vampire Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgård). Oscar and Emmy Award winner Alan Ball created and serves as executive producer of the series, which is based on the bestselling Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris. The series and this panel also features Ryan Kwanten as Jason Stackhouse, Sam Trammell as Sam Merlotte, Rutina Wesley as Tara Thornton, Nelsan Ellis as Lafayette Reynolds, Deborah Ann Woll as Jessica Hamby, Kristin Bauer van Straten as Pam Swynford De Beaufort, Joe Manganiello as Alcide Herveaux and Chris Meloni as Roman Zimojic. Moderated by Tim Stack of Entertainment Weekly. Ballroom 20

5:00-6:00 Costume Designers and Illustrators: From Concept to Reality:

Join a discussion with the creative minds that help bring your favorite sci-fi, fantasy and comic book characters to life on the big screen through the art of costume design and illustration. Learn how Costume Designers Guild members Shawna Trpcic (The Cabin In The Woods), Monique Prudhomme (Underworld Awakening), and Varya Avdyushko (Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter) and costume illustrators Christian Cordella (Snow White, Hunger Games, Thor), Constantine Sekeris (Green Lantern, Thor, Star Trek), Phillip Boute Jr. (Man of Steel, Star Trek, Hansel & Gretel, Twilight), Brian Velenzuela (Star Trek, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice), and Rosi Gabl (xXx, Mission To Mars) take costumes from concept to reality. Room 24ABC

6:00-7:00 Marvel Studios: Iron Man 3:

Producer Kevin Feige and special guests provide an inside look at the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hall H

6:00-7:30 A Tribute to the Legendary Ray Bradbury:

Some called him the greatest writer of fantasy of all time. He was a writer of legendary science fiction, an inspiration to generations, and a good friend of Comic-Con. We lost him on June 12, and now many of his friends and colleagues gather to celebrate this extraordinary figure. The guest list is still being finalized as this guide goes to press, but it should include authors William F. Nolan, George Clayton Johnson, Marc Scott Zicree, Joe Hill, and Margaret Atwood, along with figures from the worlds of motion pictures and television. Your hosts are Bradbury biographer Sam Weller (Shadow Show: All-New Stories in Celebration of Ray Bradbury) and Comic-Con special guest Mark Evanier. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite Bradbury character. Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

7:30-8:30 Unlocking Arkham: The Forensic Psychiatry of Batman’s Rogues’ Gallery:

Back by popular demand! Broadcast Thought’s original Comic-Con panel with updated information and insights! Arkham Asylum houses some of Gotham City’s most disturbed villains. But are they truly “insane”? From the vantage point of forensic psychiatrists utilizing real-world psychiatric diagnostic criteria, explore the mental disorders that plague The Dark Knight’s Rogues’ Gallery. Probe the minds of villains such as Two-Face, Riddler, Mr. Zsasz, Maxie Zeus, Harley Quinn, the Joker, and others. Are these characters psychotic, or are they psychopaths? What’s the difference? Learn as forensic psychiatrists H. Eric Bender, M.D., Praveen Kambam, M.D., and Vasilis K. Pozios, M.D. discuss the meaning of these terms and explain how criminal defendants are found “not guilty by reason of insanity.” See how Arkham Asylum compares to a real-world forensic hospital. Discover that truth truly is stranger than fiction. Bring your questions, and join the experts as they unlock Arkham Asylum and possibly set some of its “inmates” free! Room 7AB

True Blood Star Stephen Moyer Joins Devil’s Knot

Stephen Moyer, most known for his role on HBO’s “True Blood” and being married to the adorable Anna Panquin, has announced that he has joined the cast of upcoming film Devil’s Knot. 

Devil’s Knot comes from director Atom Egoyan and already has an all star cast including Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth. Other cast members include Alessandro Nivola, Kris Polaha, Collette Wolfe, Justin Castor and Kevin Durand.

The film will appear as a narrative take on the highly controversial and well known case of the West Memphis Three.

The famous case surrounded Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley, Jr. and Jason Baldwin. The three were believed to be those responsible for the murder of three eight-year-old boys in 1993. All three were recently released from prison this year after spending two decades behind bars. The upcoming film will show the trial and conviction.

The film is based on the book, “Devil’s Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three” by Mara Leveritt.

Witherspoon is set to play Pam Hobbs, the mother of one of the original victims, Firth will play as Ron Lax, a private investigator on the case. Moyer will be portraying prosecutor John Fogelman.

There is no word on when the film is set to be released.

Official Dark Knight Rises Website Fully Launches

The upcoming franchise finale film is less than a month away from hitting theaters with anticipating building every day and finally, Warner Bros has fully launched the film’s official website. TheDarkKnightRises.com is complete with downloadable stills, wallpapers, and more.

The third and final film in Christopher Nolan’s franchise will hit theaters and IMAX on July 20th with an all-star cast.

  • Christian Bale returns as Bruce Wayne / Batman:
A billionaire socialite dedicated to protecting Gotham City from the criminal underworld. Nolan has stated that, due to the eight-year gap between the events of The Dark Knight and those of The Dark Knight Rises, “he’s an older Bruce Wayne; he’s not in a great state.”
  • Tom Hardy as Bane:
Hardy stated that he intended to portray the character as “more menacing” than Robert Swenson’s version of the character in Joel Schumacher’s Batman & Robin. Producer Emma Thomas says that Bane “is an interesting match for Batman after the Joker, who was just purely about chaos and playing with people. Bane has a plan.”
  • Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle:
Selina Kyle is “an associate” of Bane. 
  • Michael Caine also returns as Alfred Pennyworth:
Bruce’s trusted butler and confidant. Alfred has acted as a father figure to Bruce, and continues to aid Bruce on his missions as well as supplying him with useful advice.
  • Gary Oldman as James Gordon:
Commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department. One of the city’s few honest police officers. Oldman described his character: “He’s a little reminiscent of the Gordon you see in Batman Begins. They’ve tidied up the city, but there’s still work to be done. He’s very world-weary.”
  • Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox:
Fox runs Wayne Enterprises on behalf of Bruce Wayne and serves as his armorer, providing him with high-tech equipment.
  • Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tate:
A “Wayne Enterprises board member eager to help a still-grieving Bruce Wayne resume his father’s philanthropic endeavors for Gotham.”
  • Joseph Gordon-Levitt as John Blake:
Blake is a “Gotham City beat cop assigned to special duty under the command of Commissioner Gordon.”

Josh Pence and Liam Neeson both appear as Ra’s al Ghul, leader of the League of Shadows; Pence plays a younger version of the character in scenes set thirty years before the events of Batman Begins, while Neeson reprises his Batman Begins role in a cameo appearance. Other cast members include Nestor Carbonell reprising his role as Mayor Anthony Garcia; Alon Abutbul as Dr. Leonid Pavel, described as “a mad scientist”; Juno Temple as a “street-smart Gotham girl”; Matthew Modine as deputy commissioner Peter Foley; Brett Cullen as a judge; Chris Ellis as a priest; Aiden Gillen as a CIA agent; and Rob Brown, Christopher Judge, Tom Conti, and Joey King in unspecified roles.

The official plot of the film follows the aftermath of the death of District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman assumes responsibility for Dent’s crimes to protect Dent’s reputation and is subsequently hunted by the Gotham City Police Department. Eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, Batman returns to Gotham, where he encounters the mysterious Selina Kyle and the villainous Bane, and must confront the latter’s plans to destroy the city.

You can also see a brand new HD tv spot for the movie below:

First Look At Tom Cruise In Jack Reacher Adaptation

The first photo featuring Tom Cruise in the big-screen adaptation of Lee Child’s bestselling 2005 crime saga Jack Reacher, has been released and you can see it above. Cruise will play the titular character in the film, an ex-military policeman turned vigilante drifter, who is drawn into the case of a sniper who randomly targeted civilians.

The film, due in theaters Dec. 21, was adapted from the ninth novel in Child’s series, “One Shot.”

Cruise’s character in the film will differ from his usual ambitious, highly-stressed and charming roles, according to Entertainment Weekly, as this film’s protagonist is a darker and more stoic personality. Christopher McQuarrie, the film’s screenwriter and director, pointed out the dark aspect of Reacher.

“Someone asks him at one point in the story about the difference between a military policeman and a regular cop,” McQuarrie said. “Reacher points out that [for military police], every suspect is a trained killer.”

McQuarrie also told EW that Reacher has very little invested in the present.

“He is free from any sort of anxiety. He is truly not encumbered by all the bulls–t that makes up our daily lives,” he said. “He literally and figuratively has no baggage.”

Reacher does have one valued possession- his 1970 Chevelle SS, which is featured in the film’s just-released promotional photo. In the image, Reacher has just battered the car while escaping from police, who wrongfully suspect him of a murder.

Some fans of the Reacher book series have been quite vocal with their dissatisfaction with the choice of Cruise as their hero. The 5-foot-7 actor is physically far from the massive Reacher described in the text, but Cruise addressed this issue in a video aired at CinemaCon in April.

“For those of you who know the books, I’m obviously not 6-foot-5, like Jack Reacher,” Cruise said. “But Lee felt that I was the right guy to drive fast cars and kick the s–t out of people on-screen.”

Whether or not Cruise is able to pull of the character has yet to be seen. However, he may surprise everyone with his portrayal. We will just have to wait and see.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Fails To Impress – Review

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Directed by : Timur Bekmambetov

Starring: Benjamin Walker

Adapted from the novel of the same name by Seth Graham-Smith (novel/screenplay)

Why are you interested in this adaptation?

Elena-

I am interested in this movie primarily because all or at least significant parts of it were filmed in New Orleans. I spent a month last year running past a cordoned off section of grass in Audubon Park that was being grown out for use in this movie (seriously, it was labeled). It was enough to make me curious.

The premise…eh, the premise.  At least it was an original story, which is more than I can say for Seth Grahame Smith’s atrocious mangling of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which I am still upset about not for messing with the canon of Austen but for doing it so fucking badly why did he call them underwear the whole book and oh my god why were there ninjas what the fuck that made no fucking sense and I need to take a deep breath or two and—

Okay. Yeah. So, at least an original story might be easier for him not to fuck up? And maybe there will be good costumes?

Rachel –

I am interested in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter because I can read English. How can you NOT be interested in a movie that portrays the 16th President of the United States as an axe-swinging Buffy?

HOW CAN YOU NOT?!

Now granted, I have seen the director’s past works (Nightwatch, Wanted) so I know I’m not in for a Tarantinoesque, tongue-in-cheek homage to the genre (is “Vampire movie” a genre yet?). I am in for a bunch of CGI with a lot of slo-mo and hopefully Benjamin Walker’s naked body.

Elena-

Wait, wait, wait, Nightwatch director did this one? THAT is why I’m interested! Nightwatch was pretty badass, if I recall correctly.  I mean, I think it was. I saw it on the pre-theatrical release rough translation that didn’t make much sense subtitles. Or maybe the story just made no sense? But I liked how he handled the film and the vampires in it….

What would make it awesome?

Rachel-

If it WERE a Tarantino film. IT WOULD BE SO AWESOME. Alas, it is not. So I guess it will be awesome if it is funny. The book itself isn’t hilarious beyond its mash-up premise (much like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, the other Seth Graham-Smith book you’ve heard of), but this is a film adaptation, and by god the premise is so silly they might as well go full comedy.

It’s going to be pretty hard to sit through 2 hours of actual Abe Lincoln grimly dispatching vampires if there isn’t any humor. Give us the Buffy quips!

On second thought – maybe this should have been a Joss Whedon film? I’ll be Enver Gjokaj could pull off Abe! (He can pull off anything…. Including my shirt *puts on sunglasses * YEEEAAAHHHHHH).

Elena-

Hm. I think for me what will make this movie awesome is if they can make me forget I’m watching a movie where Abe Lincoln hunted vampires. Either laughter or emotional investment work to take me to that magical place of unselfconscious suspension of disbelief.

What would make it suck?

Elena-

Ninjas.  Seriously, if there are any fucking ninjas in this movie I am walking out of the theater, review or no review.

Aside from that…if it is a Hollywood CG reach-around flick that proves this director only has a vision when he has no budget. That kind of backslide from a promising start always pisses me off.

Rachel-

This is a vampire movie, it’s supposed to suck.

WHY DO YOU ALL HATE PUNS?

This is designed to be a terrible film. So I think a better question would be – how could this film not be FUN? And if it takes its premise too seriously and tries to deliver a straight action film that just happens to star a creepy Lincoln face and a top hat…it will suck.

Thoughts on casting/production?

Rachel-

Well, I’m not going to lie. I’m not a big fan of Timur Bekmambetov. Even James McAvoy’s beautiful face didn’t allow me to see past the fact that he was curving bullets by…essentially…bending his arm. WHAT? DEAR TIMUR – PHYSICS.

But, seeing as this is a movie about how Abe Lincoln is a freaking vampire hunter – I think I’m going to be OK with suspending all rules of the universe.

As to the film’s star, Benjamin Walker. I have no idea who he is? I have a bunch of friends who are into the NYC theater/Broadway scene and they all know exactly who he is – a talented stage star. So awesome! I love it when hard working theater dorks get a fat paycheck. Maybe Ben Walker is the next Hugh Jackman? Is there dancing in this movie? (Thinks about the axe-ballet in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) TWIRL BENNY, TWIRL!

Elena-

I…no.  I didn’t know this was a director whose work I’m familiar with, and I don’t recognize any of the actors, and all I know about the production was the local scuttlebutt about the filming possibly being the reason for half the flock of Bird Island abandoning the site, which if that’s true is inexpressibly upsetting to me from an ecological standpoint since the Audubon Park rookery is one of basically three sites in the entire state where waterbirds nest and breed.  Bird Island being abandoned would be like the Central Park red-tails leaving.  So…second what Rachel said?

Reaction to film:

Rachel-

I think maybe Benjamin Walker took my “twirl” wish to heart. BOY TWIRLED HIS DAMN ASS OFF!

 LOOK AT THOSE TWIRLY BASTARDS!

Full disclosure: I saw this movie with my friends on one of their birthdays. We got drunk on rum beforehand, and I made the birthday girl wear a top hat with a tiara affixed to the front and carry a toy axe. I spent approximately half of the movie laughing my highly sugared ass off.

But not because it was funny.

At one point, I shouted “WHAT IS THIS MOVIE ABOUT?” (Don’t worry. There were only four other people in the theater with us, and they were shouting too, I think.)

We all walked out of the film with shell-shocked looks on our faces. The plot is pretty thin on this one, guys, and it deviates a lot from the book. Abe Lincoln’s mom is eaten by a vampire, and he spends the rest of his life fighting vampires with the help of this vampire he meets, and the bad guy from A Knight’s Tale runs the Confederate army. It is mostly a slow-motion movie with CGI settings in which Ben Walker axe-twirls his way from one sunglass-wearing vamp to the next. Ramona Flowers and Wash from Firefly make a few appearances. Even though the movie covers 30 or so years, no one ages. Except Lincoln, who bizarrely goes from super handsome Ben Walker to creepy wax figure Lincoln. I saw it in 3D, and the slow motion and CGI effects are so cluttered that there are entire scenes where I kind of just sat back and thought about inkblots and sand drawings.

The main conceit of the movie is that evil sunblock-wearing vampires want America to have slaves because it makes it easier for them to have super boring parties in their shitty mansions with walking buffets. Or something. This made me feel squicky, not gonna lie. I’m not sure I’m at the point in my life where I can … write off slavery as something resulting from supernatural bullshit in an action movie. Lincoln even uses the Underground Railroad to transport silver to Gettysburg so they can kill the vampire army! I MEAN WHO WRITES THIS AND THINKS IT’S NOT OFFENSIVE?  Lincoln was basically Moses…an axe-twirling, horse-catching, train-crashing Moses. Only he was a white dude, and the Hebrew slaves were black. Squicky.

OH right…the HORSE TOSSING. Let’s talk about thaaaat.

So there is this ridiculous scene where Lincoln chases a bad vamp via a herd of horses that magically transport them from somewhere in Illinois to the Grand Canyon. This CGI herd of horses runs and runs while Lincoln and vampire ride and run and hop their way across them. The vampire picks up a horse…and CHUCKS it at Lincoln who CATCHES the horse, puts it down and swings up like Legolas to continue riding the horse.

WUT? WHAAAAT?!!!

I don’t even.

Elena-

No CG horses were harmed in the making of this film!

Not a joke, y’all.  There’s a scene where the herd is scuttling along the edge of the mysteriously grand canyon in the middle of Illinois, and the horses that start to fall off the edge all manage to regain their balance and not fall to their deaths.  Seriously, this movie was like Abe Lincoln of Mars with its regard for (by which I mean, complete and utter ignorance of) the actual laws of physics.

Rachel-

Meanwhile Lincoln has this superhot vampire friend who is remarkable only in his sunglasses collection who teaches him not to be a bigot against vampires (but we already know Lincoln isn’t a bigot because he’s also got black friends)…and also teaches him the way of Vampire fu. It makes you crazy strong even if you are NOT  vampire, and that is why Abe can catch horses and chop down trees in one fell swoop.

Elena-

Yeah, about that…how was that “one stroke” when he took like…10 swings?  And then the tree falls?  Um. Unless he was hitting a different tree each time I’m pretty sure there was a cumulative effect happening.  Just sayin’.

Rachel-

SERIOUSLY YOU GUYS. WHAT IS UP WITH THIS MOVIE?

Abe Lincoln, who does nothing but lie to people in the film (hilarious?), was strangely uncompelling. The action scenes were monotonous; the blame slavery on evil vampires plot made me uncomfortable, and most importantly it wasn’t funny. I can’t imagine how torturous this film would have been if I had not been inebriated.

Elena-

Alas, for any of our readers who might have been interested in a sober analysis of the film, neither can I.  I, too, got rummy for this film (literally…by drinking RUM, because I live in New Orleans, which in the summertime is basically the Caribbean and used to be sugar cane capital of the continent, and rum is what we drink here).  I went straight college style, just before the movie I dumped a third of my Coke into the toilet and poured in the bottle. I was worried I might miss (“I wouldn’t say I’ve been missing it, Bob”) the opening of the movie because of my liquor detour, but I took that time anyway because I saw this movie on Thursday after a full week to contemplate its 35% on Rotten Tomatoes, and…no.  Anyway, I didn’t miss a thing except a couple shitty previews for shitty movies I know I won’t be seeing.

Right. So, the movie.  The movie was…yes: the movie was.

Rachel covered the salient points of how there was not much of a plot and the various “characters” just kind of showed up and said lines and how the action on screen was frenetic and hard to follow.  And derivative.  There was nothing new in these action sequences, just 50 Shades of Neo.

Rachel hits the point that underscores much of my discomfort with urban fantasy as a genre: it reduces either or both human problems and human redemption to the mercy of non-human influences.  Both are insulting.  Reducing both the entire argument for secession to “we want slaves” and the entire concept of institutionalized slavery to being so vampires have an easy food supply is just…asinine. As a Southerner I am insulted by the implication that the only reason the South won some of the battles was because the Confederate Army was all vampires.  As an American I am saddened that the single most devastating war in our history was reduced to righteous humans versus evil, evil vampires. I guess that whole brother versus brother thing was just a lie.  Riiiiiight.

I actually think the idea of vampires fighting because they wanted a nation of their own to be quite compelling. If the film hadn’t been so set on blaming slavery on the vampires, there could actually have been a really compelling subplot about what the vampires wanted and how maybe their desire for freedom was perhaps legitimate.  But instead the vampire leaders were all caricatures of villains, and not nearly smart enough to have actually been around long enough to be certain they were immortal.  They couldn’t train rob as effectively as the crew of Serenity, and they lived in mansions that were old and run-down and shitty even though IN THE TIME THIS IS SET THE HOUSE WOULD HAVE BEEN NEW.  In the end I think my complaint is pretty much the same as it was with P&P&Z:  there was a lot of potential for a really great story, and all of it was squandered.

But at least the vampires were appropriately monstrous in their miens.  And none of them sparkled.  And they at least tried to show the progression of time via Ramona Lincoln’s dresses.

Still.  None of it was enough to make this movie good or even enjoyable.  All I can say is, it lived up to every bit of its 35%.

New Kick Ass 2 Details Released

Several new details have been released for Jeff Wadlow’s upcoming project Kick-Ass 2. It has been confirmed that all of the core cast members will return, including Aaron Johnson, Chloe Moretz and Christopher Mintz-Plasse. Negotiations are currently underway for Garrett M. Brown’s return to the role of Roswell (Dave’s dad), according to Moviehole, and it has been announced that he will have a more active role in the sequel.

Auditions for the role of Uncle Ralph, the guardian of Chris/Red Mist, will also begin soon. Fans can expect this role to be filled by someone of a Mark Strong-esque stature.

As for the film’s story, part of the plot will revolve around someone discovering the hero’s identity, with both Dave and Mindy possibly being found out.

Much of the storyline will also focus on Hit Girl and what happens to her after the events of the first movie. After her identity is released, she begins to be teased and bullied and given a less than classy nickname of “Captain Muffin-Muncher.” But don’t expect Hit Girl to cower in the face of the teasing. She is always ready to take charge in confrontation and self defense.

More details on the film are slowly being released, but with all the main cast returning it seems it will definitely fall in line with previous installment.

The Human Fly Buzzes Towards The Big Screen

Marvel Comics continues to dominate at the box office lately, with The Avengers breaking records and the highly anticipated The Amazing Spider-Man about to hit theaters. To continue their streak, Marvel may be venturing into theaters yet again with a film based on comic series “The Human Fly.”

“The Human Fly” comic, based on real-life stuntman Joe Ramacieri, was licensed and published by Marvel from 1977-1979. It ran for 19 issues, and the character also appeared in various other Marvel comics. During his run of adventures, the character encountered various other superheroes and Marvel characters such as Spider-Man and Daredevil.

The Human Fly’s origin story is similar to that of the Six Million Dollar Man and the life of Wolverine in which he was severely injured in an accident and in an attempt to rebuild him, scientists infused him with a steel skeleton. The man, whose real name is never mentioned, begins to wear a consume and fight crime with his super biologic awesomeness.

Alan Brewer and Steven Goldmann picked up the reverted rights on the property recently, according to Deadline. Eisenberg-Fisher Productions will executive produce the proposed independent film. Deadline reported that financing for the project will likely come from private equity sources.

Goldmann will direct, and Brewer will produce along with James Reach. Tony Babinski, Cirque Du Soleil’s in-house historian, wrote the screenplay.

There is no word just yet on who will play the titular superhero, or when they film is expected to be completed.

Game of Thrones Season 3 Production Start Date Revealed

One of this site’s favorite shows has finally announced the production date of season 3. HBO’s hit series “Game of Thrones” based on the novel series A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin, will begin production on its highly anticipated third season early July according HBO.

The third season will see a ton more shooting locations including a brand new country from the GRRM created world that fans have not seen yet.

As with the first and second season, production will continue to be based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, as well as Croatia and Iceland, however, with season three they will add Morocco to the location set. It is believed that the new location will presumably be for the storyline of Daenerys, played by Emilia Clarke.

Along with the production date release, HBO has confirmed the new season’s directors  and returning writers. Showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss will get behind the camera in season three to direct episodes. Alex Graves, Michelle MacLaren, Dan Minahan, David Nutter and Alik Sakharov will direct episodes as well. The writers will include Benioff and Weiss, as well as Bryan Cogman, GRRM himself, and Vanessa Taylor.

HBO also assured that the new cast members will be announced soon.

Ridley and Tony Scott Bringing “Coma” To A&E

Fresh off the heels of mega production, Prometheus, Ridley Scott is at it again. He recently announced his newest project which will see him teaming up with his brother Tony Scott to bring Robin Cook’s novel “Coma” to the small screen in the form of an A&E series.

Coma is Cook’s first published novel and ws written in 1977. The book was a hit, landing on the New York Times best seller as well as being voted as the number one thriller of the year by The New York Times.

The Scott brothers will produce the series which will star Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under) as Dr. Susan Wheeler. Geena Davis, James Woods, Richard Dreyfuss, Ellen Burstyn and Steve Pasquale will co-star.

The plot involves a medical student who discovers strange happening at her hospital after a few routine procedures lead healthy patients into comas on the operating table.

Coma was previously made into a feature film in 1978 under writer/director Michael Chrichton and MGM. The cast of the Chrichton film includes Geneviève Bujold, Michael Douglas, Elizabeth Ashley, Richard Widmark, and Rip Torn as well as Tom Selleck and Ed Harris in minor roles. The film was a commercial success with its overwhelming sense of paranoia presented in the film praised as being a major drawing point for audiences.

Black Swan writer John J. McLaughlin, and “Band of Brothers” director Mikail Salomon are also attached to the project, which is set to premiere on September 3.

The Lego Movie Will See Both Batman and Superman

It was confirmed yesterday that comic book heroes Batman and Superman will both appear in the upcoming Warner Bros film LEGO: The Piece of Resistance, according to Variety.

This news comes just days after the highly anticipated release of Lego Batman 2, which features Superman and several other DC Comics heroes. Channing Tatum and Will Arnett are rumored to be up for the roles of Superman and Batman respectively.

Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation) will voice the lead character in the movie, Emmet, an ordinary, law-abiding, Lego mini-figure, who is mistaken for the most extraordinary MasterBuilder, is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on a quest to stop an evil tyrant from gluing the universe together. However, there is no confirmation on Batman and Superman’s roles in the movie.

Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the team behind Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs will work with Robot Chicken’s Chris McKay as co-directors, with Lord and Miller also taking on screenwriting duties.

The movie will be an action/adventure movie, but also a comedy, explaining how Gob Bluth actor could end up portraying The Dark Knight.

In March 2012, Lord and Miller revealed the film’s storyline, saying: “It involves many worlds. Basically, the least qualified Lego characters in the universe having to keep the world from being frozen together.”

The project has been in development for three years and is set to hit theaters February 28, 2014.